Engine diagnostic apparatus and method that analyzes the output of a driven electric power generator

Abstract

In the present art, the closest detectable points in time that are available for electronic engine analyzers to ascertain of the functionality of most engines are the times when spark pulses occur. The present invention utilizes the output of driven electric power generators to both ascertain when those sparks (or similar signals in engines without sparks) occur, and to ascertain how engines are functioning between those sparks. The invention takes advantage of the fact that during the time between cylinder firings, the output voltage of engine-driven electric power generators is directly related to the instantaneous functionality of the engine. By displaying and analyzing the output of driven electric power generators, the invention's apparatuses and methods are able to show previously unavailable useful information related to the functionality of engines, including the compression inside each cylinder and the power produced by each cylinder.

1 . An apparatus that shows the functionality of an engine, where said engine drives an electric generator and wherein said apparatus displays an output signal from at least one driven electric generator, said output signal being detected and displayed in such a way as to impart useful engine functionality information.  
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the said output signal is analyzed so as to reveal points in time when specific known events regularly recur, either in the said engine or in components that are physically or electrically coupled to the said engine.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the said output signal is analyzed so as to reveal points in time when sparks regularly recur.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the said output signal is analyzed so as to reveal points in time when fuel injector operations regularly recur.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one mathematical formula is applied to the said output signal so as to reveal the functionality of the engine.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the said output signal is synchronized with at least one other signal, and where said other signal occurs at a recognized point in the operation of said engine.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least one mathematical formula is applied to the said synchronized signals so as to compute at least one result that divulges information about the engine's functionality.  
   
   
       8 . A method for showing the functionality of an engine, where said engine drives at least one electric generator and wherein said method displays an output signal from at least one of said engine's driven electric generators in such a way as to impart useful engine functionality information.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , with the added step of analyzing the said output signal so as to reveal points in time when specific known events regularly recur, either in the said engine or in components that are physically or electrically coupled to the said engine.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , with the added step of applying at least one mathematical formula to the said output signal so as to reveal the functionality of said engine.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , with the added step of synchronizing the said output signal with at least one other signal, and where said other signal occurs at a recognized point in the operation of said engine.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , with the added steps of synchronizing the said output signal with at least one other signal and applying at least one mathematical formula to the synchronized signals so as to compute and display at least one result that imparts useful information about the engine's functionality.